Property inspection using aerial imagery

ABSTRACT

A method, system and computer-readable medium are provided for performing a property inspection using aerial images, the method including the steps of receiving an indication of a request from a user to receive a quote regarding a property, identifying the property, retrieving one or more aerial images associated with the property, extracting information regarding the property from the one or more aerial images and providing an insurance decision for the property to the user according to the extracted information from the one or more aerial images in response to the request from the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/847,055, entitled “Aerial Home Appraiser,” filedon Jul. 16, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirely for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure generally relates to insurance services, and moreparticularly to property inspection for property insurance.

Description of the Related Art

The homeowner's insurance industry uses certified property inspectors toprovide property inspection data. The property inspection data providesrisk characteristic information to an insurance carrier to be used bythe insurance carrier in rating and underwriting a property's insurancepolicy. The cost of having the certified property inspector sent to theproperty is often, however, passed along to the consumer purchasing theinsurance policy.

SUMMARY

The disclosed system and method describe performing a propertyinspection using aerial images.

In certain embodiments, a method is provided for performing a propertyinspection using aerial images. The method includes the steps ofreceiving an indication of a request from a user to receive a quoteregarding a property, identifying the property, retrieving one or moreaerial images associated with the property, extracting informationregarding the property from the one or more aerial images and providingan insurance decision for the property to the user according to theextracted information from the one or more aerial images in response tothe request from the user.

In certain embodiments, a system is provided for performing a propertyinspection using aerial images. The system may include one or moreprocessors and a machine-readable medium including instructions storedtherein, which when executed by the processors, cause the processors toperform operations including receiving an indication of a request from auser to receive a quote regarding a property, identifying an addressassociated with the property, retrieving one or more aerial imagesassociated with the address, extracting information regarding theproperty from the one or more aerial images, applying the extractedinformation from the one or more aerial images to one or more rules orcriteria for determining an insurance decision regarding the propertyand providing the insurance decision to the user in response to therequest in real time, wherein the insurance decision is at least in partbased on the extracted information.

In certain embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium havingcomputer-executable instructions stored thereon for execution by aprocessor to perform a method for performing a property inspection usingaerial images is provided. The method may include the steps of receivingan indication of a request from a user to receive a quote regarding aproperty, retrieving one or more aerial images associated with anaddress of the property, the aerial images including one or more imagesof the exterior of the property or surrounding areas, extractinginformation regarding the property from the one or more aerial imagesand providing an insurance decision for the property to the user atleast in part based on applying the extracted information from the oneor more aerial images to one or more rules or criteria for determiningan insurance decision regarding the property.

It is understood that other configurations of the subject technologywill become readily apparent from the following detailed description,where various configurations of the subject technology are shown anddescribed by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subjecttechnology is capable of other and different configurations and itsseveral details are capable of modification in various other respects,all without departing from the scope of the subject technology.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with thedescription serve to explain the principles of the disclosedembodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example client-server network environment, whichprovides for facilitating inspection of a property using aerial imagery.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process for facilitating inspection of aproperty using aerial imagery.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example aerial image of a home.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which someimplementations of the subject technology are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the subject technology and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the subject technology may bepracticed. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitutea part of the detailed description. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent thatthe subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forthherein and may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown indetail so as not to obscure the disclosure.

Some examples provided herein describe identifying and/or storing userproperty information. In several examples, identification of suchinformation is performed after the user grants explicit permission forsuch user information to be identified and stored in memory. Each usermay be provided notice that such user information will be stored withsuch explicit consent. The stored user information may be encrypted toprotect user security.

The disclosed systems and methods facilitate performing a pre-bind, realtime, inspection of a property for the purpose of making decisionsregarding property insurance using high quality aerial images. The term“property,” as used herein, may refer to an improvement to realproperty, including, for example, semi-permanent and permanentstructures and fixtures on real property (e.g. residential or business).Aerial images of a property are obtained according to a locationidentifier of a property. For example, a location identifier may includelatitude/longitude information, an address, or other location dataindicating the location of the property. The images are processed toobtain information regarding the property. The information is used toprovide the user with a real time pre-binding inspection of the propertyduring the insurance quote generation process. In one example, theinformation may be used for validation and supplementing informationprovided by the user during the application process. In some examples,the information may be used to fill in certain information of theapplication (e.g., as opposed to the user filling in the information).

In one aspect, the disclosed system processes an aerial image of aproperty and analyzes the image to evaluate risk characteristics of theproperty such as features, size, and condition. The image processing mayinclude object recognition for automatically identifying objects on theproperty. This information may assist an insurance carrier in providingan accurate assessment and policy to a consumer for a property.

In some examples, the aerial images may be captured using various mannedand/or unmanned aircrafts, drones, satellites or other apparatusescapable of capturing aerial imagery associated with one or moreproperties. In one example, the aerial images may be captured inresponse to receiving the location identifier and identifying theproperty. In another example, the aerial images may be captured ahead oftime and stored in a database. A location identifier of a property maybe mapped to various aerial images in one or more databases storingaerial image data for various areas (e.g. areas comprising one or moreproperties). In certain aspects, the aerial images may include satelliteimages, thermal images, hyperspectral images, or other types of images.Once a customer requests a quote for a property, the location identifier(e.g. address) provided for the property may be used to retrieve one ormore aerial images associated with the property. The images may be usedto determine information regarding the property. The information may beused to validate and/or supplement existing information, for example,provided by the user during the application process.

In one example, the information obtained through the aerial imagery mayinclude information that is traditionally obtained through a manualexterior inspection of the property by an inspector. The processing ofimages may include using image recognition processes to identity variousimage data within the images. The image data is used to generateinformation regarding the property. The information is then used toprovide the user with a binding decision regarding insuring the propertyin real time. The decision may include a rate when the informationindicates that the information regarding the property meets the criteriafor insuring a property, steps to be taken to obtain insurance where theinformation regarding the property meets a second criteria (e.g. a lowercriteria indicating issues that may have to be resolved) and/or adecision to not offer insurance to the customer.

In some examples, aerial imagery inspections, performed according to thesystems and processes disclosed herein, provide for cost savings forboth an insurance provider and a consumer, a record of inspection,information on a property's condition and improvements in ease ofreconstruction cost estimation, marketing opportunity for additionalinsurance offering and sales, and bulk data gathered for use in productdevelopment and product pricing. When aerial imagery is used, theinspection process can eliminate the need for an inspection performedphysically. This may lead to cost efficiency, less error, and furthermay provide for a quicker inspection (e.g., as an actual inspector doesnot need to be engaged to visit the property and complete theinspection). In one example, the reduction in delay in performing theinspection (e.g., performing the inspection in real-time or with alimited delay) may facilitate providing the customer with a bindingdecision sooner than would usually be standard with traditionalinsurance underwriting methods.

For example, performing an inspection (e.g., in real time or near realtime), before a binding coverage decision is made and/or before coverageis bound provides several advantages to both the customer (e.g.potential or future customer) and the insurance provider. Because theinspection process can be done with less delay (e.g., in real time ornear real time), using aerial images, the risk of the coverage decision(e.g. rate) offered to the customer being cancelled or updated afterpurchasing a property insurance policy, (e.g. based on an increased costof coverage due to a condition or characteristics of a property beingdiscovered via an after the fact inspection) is greatly reduced.Furthermore, providing a faster inspection process using the aerialimagery inspection reduces the chance of the insurance carrier beingbound to a risk that is not yet fully underwritten (e.g. opposed to atraditional in person inspection commonly being completed over thecourse of 30 days after insurance coverage is bound). The cost perinspection may also be reduced (e.g., when used with significant volume)by using aerial inspection imagery instead of physical inspection, whichleads to less cost being passed onto the customer. The real timeinspection further allows for providing the user with transparencyregarding how the coverage decision is made, as the user may bepresented with results of the inspection in real time, before or uponbeing presented with a coverage decision, giving the user moreconfidence and assurance regarding the coverage offered. In one example,where aerial imagery is obtained during the quote generation process,the information extracted can be used for marketing purposes (e.g., torecommend additional insurance to the user for the property).

The use of aerial imagery inspection during coverage decisions isdescribed herein as an example use case of the processes and systemsdescribed herein. Same or similar inspections may be performed in othercontexts. For example, the disclosed system permits assessing damagepotential for a property after a covered loss event to determinesettlement. Similarly, aerial imagery inspections may be performed tomake renewal decisions that can be presented to the customer withoutneeding additional efforts from the customer. In another example, theaerial imagery inspection may be performed for appraising propertyvalue.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example client-server network environment, whichprovides for facilitating inspection of a property using aerial imagery.A network environment 100 includes a number of electronic devices 102,104, 106 communicably connected to a server 110 and one or more remoteservers 120 by a network 108. Network 108 can be a public communicationnetwork (e.g., the Internet, cellular data network, dialup modems over atelephone network) or a private communications network (e.g., privateLAN, leased lines). Further, network 108 can include, but is not limitedto, any one or more of the following network topologies, including a busnetwork, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star-busnetwork, a tree or hierarchical network, and the like.

In some example implementations, electronic devices 102, 104, 106 can becomputing devices such as laptop or desktop computers, smartphones,PDAs, portable media players, tablet computers, or other appropriatecomputing devices. In some examples, electronic devices 102, 104, 106have an image capturing capability. In the example of FIG. 1, electronicdevice 102 is depicted as a smartphone, electronic device 104 isdepleted as a desktop computer and electronic device 106 is depicted asa Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

In some implementations, server 110 includes a processing device 112 anda data store 114. Processing device 112 executes computer instructionsstored in data store 114, for example, to facilitate performing aninspection of a property using aerial imagery. Server 110 may further bein communication with remote servers 120 either through the network 108or through another network or communication means.

Remote servers 120 may be configured to perform various functionalitiesand/or storage capabilities described herein with regard to the server110 either alone or in combination with server 110. Server 110 maymaintain or be in communication with image recognition services,location services, property valuation services, insurance servicesand/or other services hosted on one or more remote servers 120. In someexamples, remote servers 120 may host services generating and/ormaintaining databases of aerial imagery.

In some example aspects, server 110 and/or one or more remote servers120 can be a single computing device such as a computer server. In otherimplementations, server 110 and/or one or more remote servers 120 canrepresent more than one computing device working together to perform theactions of a server computer (e.g., cloud computing). Server 110 and/orone or more remote servers 120 may be coupled with various remotedatabases or storage services. While server 110 and the one or moreremote servers 120 are displayed as being remote from one another, itshould be understood that the functions performed by these servers maybe performed within a single server, or across multiple servers.

Communications between the client devices 102, 104, 106, server 110and/or one or more remote servers 120 may be facilitated through variouscommunication protocols. In some aspects, client devices 102, 104, 106,server 110 and/or one or more remote servers 120 may communicatewirelessly through a communication interface (not shown), which mayinclude digital signal processing circuitry where necessary. Thecommunication interface may provide for communications under variousmodes or protocols, including Global System for Mobile communication(GSM) voice calls, Short Message Service (SMS), Enhanced MessagingService (EMS), or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messaging, CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA),Personal Digital Cellular (PDC), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access(WCDMA), CDMA2000, or General Packet Radio System (GPRS), among others.For example, the communication may occur through a radio-frequencytransceiver (not shown). In addition, short-range communication mayoccur, including using a Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceiver.

Users may interact with the system hosted by server 110, and/or one ormore services hosted by remote servers 120, through a client applicationinstalled at the electronic devices 102, 104, and 106. Alternatively,the user may interact with the system and the one or more servicesthrough a web based browser application at the electronic devices 102,104, 106. Communication between client devices 102, 104, 106 and thesystem, and/or one or more social networking services, may befacilitated through a network (e.g., network 108).

The network 108 can include, for example, any one or more of a personalarea network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network(CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), abroadband network (BBN), the Internet, and the like. Further, thenetwork 108 can include, but is not limited to, any one or more of thefollowing network topologies, including a bus network, a star network, aring network, a mesh network, a star-bus network, tree or hierarchicalnetwork, and the like.

A customer (“user”) (e.g., a customer or potential customer) at a clientdevice (e.g., client device 102, 104 or 106) may access an application(e.g. hosted by server 110) to initiate a request for a quote from aninsurance carrier. The user may provide an identifier or indication ofthe location of the property, such as an address (e.g., business orresidential address), for the property to be insured. Server 110 maydetermine latitude and longitude of the property based on the providedidentifier and request aerial imagery of the property (e.g. from one ormore remote servers 120). The aerial images are processed to determine,for example, risk characteristics and conditions information of theproperty. The risk characteristics can include, but are not limited to,square footage (e.g., of the property or a portion of the property suchas a roof), a slope of the property, type/quality/wear of constructioncomponents, chemical composition, and energy leakage. Insurance ratingand underwriting rules are applied to the risk characteristics data andconditions information to determine a coverage decision. The coveragedecision is provided for display at the client device for the user. Thedata, images and information may be stored for later reference. Forexample, the information may be used to determine historical metricsregarding insured properties. In one example, a pattern of correlationbetween upkeep and maintenance and loss value of properties may bedetermined according to the information over time.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process 200 for facilitating inspection ofa property using aerial imagery. In step 201, an indication of a userrequest to receive a quote on insuring a property is received. Forexample, a user may log on or access an application (e.g. a clientapplication hosted by server 110) and may request to receive a quote forinsuring a property. The user may be asked to provide a locationidentifier for the property. In one example, an application is providedto the user to obtain user provided information regarding the property.

In step 202, an identifier associated with the property is identified.For example, the identifier may comprise an address of the propertyentered by the user. In step 203, aerial images associated with theproperty are retrieved. In one example, the identifier of the propertyis used to retrieve the aerial images. In one example, the identifiermay include latitude and longitude (or a mapping of the latitude andlongitude within 3D space) representing the location of the property,and may be used to identify and/or capture aerial images associated withthe property. In another example, the identifier may include an addressof the property used to identify the property, and to capture and/orretrieve aerial imagery associated with the property. In one example,the aerial images may be captured in response to receiving the locationidentifier and identifying the property. In another example, the aerialimages may be captured ahead of time and stored in a database. In someexamples, one or more databases may store various types of aerialimagery mapped to different latitude/longitude (or corresponding mappingin 3D space). In another example, the aerial imagery may be mapped tothe address of a property. The aerial imagery may include satelliteimages (e.g., 2D, 3D images), thermal imagery, hyperspectral imagery,and/or other images captured that may provide information regardingfeatures and/or condition of the property. In some examples, the aerialimages may be captured using various manned and/or unmanned aircrafts,drones, satellites or other apparatuses capable of capturing aerialimagery associated with one or more properties. The imagery may includeimages of the property and surrounding areas. In some examples, imageryof different zoom levels (e.g. detailed property images, as well asimages of the area including the property) may be associated and/orretrieved in association with the property. FIG. 3 illustrates anexample aerial imagery 300 of a property that may be retrieved in step203. The aerial imagery 300, for example, illustrates a main structure301 (e.g., the actual home), a pool 302, a trampoline 303, and thesurrounding area of the property.

In step 204, feature and condition information regarding the propertymay be extracted from the retrieved aerial images. In one example, animage recognition algorithm may be applied to the images to extractapplicable information from the images. The information, in certainimplementations, may include shape of structures and parcel. Theinformation may include size and feature information (e.g. squarefootage) for the main structure, detached structures (garages, sheds,barns, etc.) and/or land. For example, for each structure, the featureand size information may include, age, measurements (e.g., height,length, square footage), material and/or composition information ofdifferent elements. The information may, for example, includeinformation regarding the roof (e.g., roof covering material and shape,with a detailed breakdown, including all surfaces, and slopes), exteriorwall (e.g. exterior wall covering type and material) and/or interiorwalls (e.g. length). The information may include information regardingpresence and size/shape of attached structures such as garages,breezeways, decks, porches, fence, and information regarding size (e.g.length), type and materials of the detached structures. The informationmay further include overall property information including, land usepercentage, slope of property, ground coverings, number of storieswithin one or more structures of the property, foundation type andmaterial, and pier height. In some embodiments, the information mayfurther include distance to fire hydrant, site access and easy ofproperty accessibility and/or presence of an external AC unit.

In some examples, the imagery may further include information regardingthe energy leakage of the property. For example, in certain aspectsthermal images may provide heat information indicative of energyleakage. Composition and material information regarding various elementsand structures may be determined according to the imagery. In certainaspects hyperspectral images are used to determine a chemicalcomposition of portions of a property (e.g., composition of shinglesmaterials).

Wear and tear information regarding the property may further bedetermined based on the imagery. For example, a comparison of chemicalcomposition and energy escape to known indexes of “normal” at variousages of useful life or expected life of the property may indicate if thelevel of wear and tear of a property is within an acceptable or normalrange. For example, the expected life or useful life of various featuresof the property, such as the roof, driveway, walls, or other visibleparts of the property including material of certain chemicalcompositions, may be determined using the imagery.

Neighborhood information may further be extracted or derived from theimages. The neighborhood information may include neighborhood typeinformation (e.g. urban, rural, suburban, developed or undeveloped),distance of property to neighboring properties, distance of property tocommercial activity, distance from property to the coast and/or otherwater, or presence of other risk factors within the vicinity of theproperty (e.g. fire hazards).

In step 205, the feature and condition information regarding theproperty extracted in step 204 is applied to a set of coverage rulesand/or criteria. The rules and/or criteria may include thresholds andalgorithms for determining eligibility and coverage informationregarding the property. In one example, user provided information may becombined and/or validated using the extracted information and thecombined/validated information may be applied to a set of rules and/orcriteria to determine eligibility and coverage (e.g., rate) informationfor the property. The rules and criteria may define one or morethresholds that must be met for eligibility. The rules and criteria mayfurther include algorithms for calculating a rate based on the propertyinformation (e.g. user provided information, information extracted fromimagery and/or other information provided from various other sources).

In step 206, an insurance decision regarding the property is providedfor display to the user. The insurance decision is made based on one ormore sets of information including the extracted information. In oneexample, the decision is based on the results of applying the featureand condition information to the rules and criteria. In some examples,the decision may include determining that the application is in goodorder, and a rate and/or other details of the insurance policy may bedetermined and/or provided to the user. In another example, the decisionmay include determining that further information is needed. For example,a representative may, after reviewing compiled information (e.g. thecaptured images and/or existing information), contact the user if anyadditional information is needed. In some examples, the decision mayinclude determining that the property cannot be insured based on theinformation. Similar virtual inspections may also be performed duringthe lifetime of the insurance, for example, at time of renewal, oradjustment to the policy.

In some examples, the steps of the process 200 are performed in realtime such that the quote provided to the user is based on theinformation extracted from the aerial imagery (e.g., in comparison withthe traditional model where the inspection is performed after theinsurance decision is presented to the user and overwrites and/ormodifies the decision).

Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented assoftware processes that are specified as a set of instructions recordedon a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computerreadable medium). When these instructions are executed by one or moreprocessing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores of processors,or other processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to performthe actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readablemedia include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, RAM chips,hard drives, EPROMs, etc. The computer readable media does not includecarrier waves and electronic signals passing wireless or over wiredconnections.

In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmwareresiding in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storage,which can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, insome implementations, multiple software aspects of the subjectdisclosure can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger program whileremaining distinct software aspects of the subject disclosure. In someimplementations, multiple software aspects can also be implemented asseparate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs thattogether implement a software aspect described here is within the scopeof the subject disclosure. In some implementations, the softwareprograms, when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems,define one or more specific machine implementations that execute andperform the operations of the software programs.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including complied or interpreted languages, declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astandalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, orother unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. Aprogram can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programsor data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup languagedocument), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or inmultiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules,sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployedto be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are locatedat one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by acommunication network.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which someimplementations of the subject technology are implemented. Electronicsystem 400 can be a server, computer, phone, PDA, laptop, tabletcomputer, television with one or more processors embedded therein orcoupled thereto, or any other sort of electronic device. Such anelectronic system includes various types of computer readable media andinterfaces for various other types of computer readable media.Electronic system 400 includes a bus 408, processing unit(s) 412, asystem memory 404, a read-only memory (ROM) 410, a permanent storagedevice 402, an input device interface 414, an output device interface406, and a network interface 416.

Bus 408 collectively represents all system, peripheral and chipset busesthat communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of electronicsystem 400. For instance, bus 408 communicatively connects processingunit(s) 412 with ROM 410, system memory 404, and permanent storagedevice 402.

From these various memory units, processing unit(s) 412 retrievesinstructions to execute and data to process in order to execute theprocesses of the subject disclosure. The processing unit(s) can be asingle processor or a multi-core processor in different implementations.

ROM 410 stores static data and instructions that are needed byprocessing unit(s) 412 and other modules of the electronic system.Permanent storage device 402, on the other hand, is a read-and-writememory device. This device is a non-volatile memory unit that storesinstructions and data even when electronic system 400 is off. Someimplementations of the subject disclosure use a mass-storage device(such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) aspermanent storage device 402.

Other implementations use a removable storage device (such as a floppydisk, flash drive, and its corresponding disk drive) as permanentstorage device 402. Like permanent storage device 402, system memory 404is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike storage device 402,system memory 404 is a volatile read-and-write memory, such a randomaccess memory. System memory 404 stores some of the instructions anddata that the processor needs at runtime. In some implementations, theprocesses of the subject disclosure are stored in system memory 404,permanent storage device 402, and/or ROM 410. For example, the variousmemory units include instructions for performing a property inspectionusing aerial images according to various implementations. From thesevarious memory units, processing unit(s) 412 retrieves instructions toexecute and data to process in order to execute the processes of someimplementations.

Bus 408 also connects to input and output device interfaces 414 and 406.Input device interface 414 enables the user to communicate informationand select commands to the electronic system. Input devices used withinput device interface 414 include, for example, alphanumeric keyboardsand pointing devices (also called “cursor control devices”). Outputdevice interfaces 406 enables, for example, the display of imagesgenerated by the electronic system 400. Output devices used with outputdevice interface 406 include, for example, printers and display devices,such as cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD). Someimplementations include devices such as a touchscreen that functions asboth input and output devices.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 4, bus 408 also couples electronic system 400to a network (not shown) through a network interface 416. In thismanner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers (such as alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), or a network ofnetworks, such as the Internet. Any or all components of electronicsystem 400 can be used in conjunction with the subject disclosure.

These functions described above can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, in computer software, firmware or hardware. The techniquescan be implemented using one or more computer program products.Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged asmobile devices. The processes and logic flows can be performed by one ormore programmable processors and by one or more programmable logiccircuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storagedevices can be interconnected through communication networks.

Some implementations include electronic components, such asmicroprocessors, storage and memory that store computer programinstructions in a machine-readable or computer-readable medium(alternatively referred to as computer-readable storage media,machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Someexamples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-onlycompact discs (CD-ROM), recordable compact discs (CD-R), rewritablecompact discs (CD-RW), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM,dual-layer DVD-ROM), a variety of recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g.,DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SDcards, micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic and/or solid state hard drives,read-only and recordable Blu-Ray® discs, ultra density optical discs,any other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. Thecomputer-readable media can store a computer program that is executableby at least one processing unit and includes sets of instructions forperforming various operations. Examples of computer programs or computercode include machine code, such as is produced by a compiler, and filesincluding higher-level code that are executed by a computer, anelectronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter.

While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor ormulti-core processors that execute software, some implementations areperformed by one or more integrated circuits, such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits executeinstructions that are stored on the circuit itself.

As used in this specification and any claims of this application, theterms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer toelectronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people orgroups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the termsdisplay or displaying means displaying on an electronic device. As usedin this specification and any claims of this application, the terms“computer readable medium” and “computer readable media” are entirelyrestricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in aform that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wirelesssignals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals.

To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subjectmatter described in this specification can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquidcrystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's client device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

Implementations of the subject matter described in this specificationcan be implemented in a computing system that includes a back endcomponent, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middlewarecomponent, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front endcomponent, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface ora Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementationof the subject matter described in this specification, or anycombination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front endcomponents. The components of the system can be interconnected by anyform or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communicationnetwork. Examples of communication networks include a local area networkand a wide area network, an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), andpeer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In someimplementations, a server transmits data (e.g., an HTML page) to aclient device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receivinguser input from a user interacting with the client device). Datagenerated at the client device (e.g., a result of the user interaction)can be received from the client device at the server.

In the previous detailed description, numerous specific details havebeen set forth to provide a full understanding of the presentdisclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one ordinarily skilled inthe art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practicedwithout some of the specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not toobscure the disclosure.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. While theforegoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/orother examples, it is understood that various modifications to theseaspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and thegeneric principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus,the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein,but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the languageclaims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intendedto mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather“one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms “a set”and “some” refer to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his)include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and viceversa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience onlyand do not limit the invention.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Basedupon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged. Some of the stepsmay be performed simultaneously. The accompanying method claims presentelements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to belimited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear” and the like as used inthis disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frameof reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame ofreference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and arear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, orhorizontally in a gravitational frame of reference.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect isessential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to anaspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. Aphrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and viceversa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that suchembodiment is essential to the subject technology or that suchembodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Adisclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, orone or more embodiments. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one ormore embodiments and vice versa.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example orillustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure isexplicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construedunder the provisions of 34 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless theelement is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in thecase of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “stepfor.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or thelike is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended tobe inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” isinterpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a firstserver, an indication of a request to receive a quote regarding aproperty, the indication being received from a client device accessing aclient application on the client device; identifying, at the firstserver, an identifier indicative of the property, the identifiercomprising an address of the property provided by the client applicationto the first server; retrieving, by the first server, one or more aerialimages associated with the property, the one or more aerial imagesretrieved by at least querying a database storing the one or more aerialimages, the one or more aerial images being mapped, at the database, tothe identifier of the property, and the one or more aerial imagesincluding aerial thermal imagery and aerial hyperspectral imagery;extracting, by the first server, information regarding the property fromthe one or more aerial images, wherein extracting the informationregarding the property comprises: determining, based on at least theaerial hyperspectral imagery, a chemical composition of at least aportion of the property; determining, based on at least the aerialthermal imagery, energy leakage of at least the portion of the property;and determining, based at least on the determined chemical compositionand the determined energy leakage of at least the portion of theproperty, a wear and tear level associated with the property, thedetermining of the wear and tear level includes determining that theproperty is at a first stage of useful life or a second stage of usefullife by at least comparing the determined energy leakage to at least oneknown index, the at least one known index comprising a first quantity ofenergy leakage for a reference property at the first stage of usefullife and a second quantity of energy leakage for the reference propertyat the second stage of useful life, and the reference property having asame chemical composition as the property; and providing, to the clientapplication for display on the client device and in response to therequest, information regarding an insurance decision for the propertydetermined based on at least the extracted information from the one ormore aerial images.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing theinsurance decision comprises applying the extracted information to oneor more rules or criteria for determining the insurance decisionregarding the property.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerialimages include images of an exterior of the property, and whereinextracting information regarding the property from the one or moreaerial images comprises determining at least one of a shape of astructure on the property, a size measurement of the structure, an ageof the structure, a number of stories in the structure, a land usepercentage of the property, a slope of the property, a ground coveringon the property, a foundation type or material of the property, or pierheight of the property.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerialimages include images of surrounding areas of the property, and whereinextracting information regarding the property from the one or moreaerial images comprises identifying at least one of a type ofneighborhood in which the property is located, a distance of theproperty to a neighboring property, a distant of the property tocommercial activity, a distance of the property to a body of water, or apresence of a risk factor within a vicinity of the property.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein identifying the property comprisesdetermining an address associated with the property.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein identifying the property comprises determining alatitude and longitude of the property.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein retrieving one or more aerial images associated with theproperly comprises; sending a request to one or more remote servicesstoring aerial imagery, the request including an identification of theproperty; and receiving the one or more aerial images in response to therequest.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerial imagery includesone or more 2D or 3D satellite images.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe information includes size information regarding the property. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes featureinformation regarding the property.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinthe extracted information includes composition information regarding oneor more elements of the property.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein theproperty includes an improvement on real property.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the property includes one or more of a main structure,one or more detached structures, one or more fixtures, or land housingthe one or more of the main structure, the one or more detachedstructures or the one or more fixtures.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the insurance decision is provided to the user in real time. 15.The method of claim 1, wherein the property is at a same stage of usefullife as the reference property, and wherein the determination of thewear and tear level associated with the property comprises determiningwhether a difference between the determined energy leakage of theproperty and the first amount of energy leakage for the referenceproperty exceeds a threshold value.
 16. A system, comprising: one ormore processors; and a machine-readable medium including instructionsstored therein, which when executed by the processors, cause theprocessors to perform operations including: receiving, at a firstserver, an indication of a request to receive a quote regarding aproperty, the indication being received from a client device accessing aclient application on the client device; identifying, at the firstserver, an identifier indicative of the property, the identifiercomprising an address of the property provided by the client applicationto the first server; retrieving, by the first server, one or more aerialimages associated with the property, the one or more aerial imagesretrieved by at least querying a database storing the one or more aerialimages, the one or more aerial images being mapped, at the database, tothe identifier of the property, and the one or more aerial imagesincluding aerial thermal imagery and aerial hyperspectral imagery;extracting, by the first server, information regarding the property fromthe one or more aerial images, wherein extracting the informationregarding the property comprises: determining, based on at least theaerial hyperspectral imagery, a chemical composition of at least aportion of the property; determining, based on at least the aerialthermal imagery, energy leakage of at least the portion of the property;and determining, based at least on the determined chemical compositionand the determined energy leakage of at least the portion of theproperty, a wear and tear level associated with the property, thedetermining of the wear and tear level includes determining that theproperty is at a first stage of useful life or a second stage of usefullife by at least comparing the determined energy leakage to at least oneknown index, the at least one known index comprising a first quantity ofenergy leakage for a reference property at the first stage of usefullife and a second quantity of energy leakage for the reference propertyat the second stage of useful life, and the reference property having asame chemical composition as the property; and providing, to the clientapplication for display on the client device and in response to therequest, information regarding an insurance decision for the propertydetermined based on at least the extracted information from the one ormore aerial images.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumincluding computer program code which when executed by at least oneprocessor causes operations comprising: receiving, at a first server, anindication of a request to receive a quote regarding a property, theindication being received from a client device accessing a clientapplication on the client device; identifying, at the first server, anidentifier indicative of the property, the identifier comprising anaddress of the property provided by the client application to the firstserver; retrieving, by the first server, one or more aerial imagesassociated with the property, the one or more aerial images retrieved byat least querying a database storing the one or more aerial images, theone or more aerial images being mapped, at the database, to theidentifier of the property, and the one or more aerial images includingaerial thermal imagery and aerial hyperspectral imagery; extracting, bythe first server, information regarding the property from the one ormore aerial images, wherein extracting the information regarding theproperty comprises: determining, based on at least the aerialhyperspectral imagery, a chemical composition of at least a portion ofthe property; determining, based on at least the aerial thermal imagery,energy leakage of at least the portion of the property; and determining,based at least on the determined chemical composition and the determinedenergy leakage of at least the portion of the property, a wear and tearlevel associated with the property, the determining of the wear and tearlevel includes determining that the property is at a first stage ofuseful life or a second stage of useful life by at least comparing thedetermined energy leakage to at least one known index, the at least oneknown index comprising a first quantity of energy leakage for areference property at the first stage of useful life and a secondquantity of energy leakage for the reference property at the secondstage of useful life, and the reference property having a same chemicalcomposition as the property; and providing, to the client applicationfor display on the client device and in response to the request,information regarding an insurance decision for the property determinedbased on at least the extracted information from the one or more aerialimages.